Deciding 45-70 vs 45-110

[DBREEDEN]

Hi I’m looking into buying a Shiloh Sharps Quigley Rifle. I’m very new to the BPCR world and I know that I will have to get into reloading but I’m having a hard time determining wether to get the gun in 45-70 or 45-110. I plan on shooting my rifle for fun maybe in the future for competition. I like the concept of having a 45-110 but does the practicality of the 45-70 outweigh the 45-110 and finding 45-110 casings seems to be extremely hard for me. Just need input from people that have this rifles and understand the pros and cons of both
Thank you
-Dalton

[rdnck]

No brainer. Get the 45-70. Yes, I have both calibers, and have hunted and shot matches with both for years. Shoot straight, rdnck.

[Randy Bohannon]

45-70 is a top choice for ease of getting them to shoot well , paper patch bullet makes it a 45-70 ++ 80 grs no problem. The 45-70 is such a friendly cartridge with no problems for parts.

[J.B.]

I dont believe a year goes by without a similar question being put forward . There are a host of variables to consider...but some of these are less apparent until one actually starts shooting these rifles. If you're totally sold on having a Quigley spec rifle ...then your decision is down to calibre and whether perhaps you spec b & c case hardening or standard. Certainly the brass availability is a question and I would opt for Norma 2.9" basic or Jamison if you can locate either. I believe the Norma brass is still in production ..but availability apparently down.. possibly due to the pandemic slowing down deliveries across the globe ? Some have located Norma 3.25" and trimming it back but research that option also. If you're using only the 'holy black'... then its not an issue but if you plan...or even think you may dabble in smokeless loading.. then I'd go with 45/70. Shiloh warn against loading the big cases down with smokeless and a mistake can be costly in more ways than one. Been there.. done that. Back in the early 90's I wanted a Quigley but after some to and fro ( by mail in those days can you believe ) with the staff at Shiloh, decided on a 45/110, No. 1 Sporter, 34" bbl. The rifle was a tack driver ( I hadnt really developed my flinch yet ) and a work of art. The longer cartridge is impressive to look at and delivers some impressive performance but given the multitude of mould designs now available.. plus the option to paper patch if you go that route, the performance gap can be narrowed. If you are sold on the Quigley, then its likely you won't be happy with any deviation.. and if you vary the stock for instance ..then its not a Quigley...but it can then be chambered in a couple of gap filling cartridges..namely 45 x 2.4 ..or 45 x 2.6. They are still fire breathers when they need to be but I believe Starline have brass for both. I loved my 45 x 2 7/8"...and I'd buy it back in a heartbeat if it came up for sale at a reasonable price...but that won't happen down here. Depending on wood, it will likely weigh in just shy or close to 13 lbs. You'll be happy for the weight in either calibre but it will pay dividends with the longer cartridge. Just a few thoughts.. and worth what you paid. Get what floats your boat.

J.B.

[bobw]

The pertinent points been made and well. If the military rifle butt fits you well and you don't do to much shooting in any one day you might tolerate the 45 2 7/8 recoil. I think you would be miles ahead to buy it in 45-70 if you plan much shooting. My 110 has a shotgun butt that helps reduce felt recoil. Bobw

[Kurt]

Personally I would go with the 2.4 (.45-90) You can load it with very good preference as a .45-70 or up to the low end of the 2.6 (.45-100) The 2.4 will do well for close range plinking or the 1000 yard matches without a problem. And if the fire is still lit after you had it for a while you can run a reamer in and extend it to the 110. I have .45-70's and I really don't have much use for them and they just get re oiled and sitting in the safe. But if your wanting to use smokeless than the .45-70.

[Don McDowell]

I would shy away from the Quigley configuration in 110 for anything other than the occasional go out and shoot a dozen rounds. That cartridge is best used in a pistol gripped and shotgun butt gun.

[SSShooter]

One nice thing about the 45-70 is that if you find it does not have enough recoil for you with that punishing military stock configuration when shooting prone you can always have it re-chambered to 45-90,-100, -110 or even -120. As has been mentioned, that stock becomes much less "good looking" once you've shot a match prone (either BPTR or BPCR). Especially with any of the 45cal cartridges.

Parts for loading the 45-70 & 45-90 are readily available. Look at Starline for brass and Buffalo Arms & Brooks for molds. There are others, but these folks are easy to find and very well regarded in the sport.

[Longknife76]

If it ain't 45 2 7/8,,,,,,,it aint a QUIGLEY!!!!!! Jus sayn'''''

[ChrisF]

Yup

[powderburner]

Ask yourself. Do i want a quigley or do i want to compete.
If you dont compete 20-40 rounds of brass will last a lifetime.
If you want to be a competitor, get you a competition rifle
The are Two different disciplines.
You can do both with either but you wont excel with either
If you want to shoot a lot prone the rifle will not be fun. If you set with cross sticks the military stock is quite comfortable if you hang on to it.
It comes down to what you want and will be happy owning.

[Dennis Armistead]

If your heart is set on a Quigley then the .45 2 7/8" is the way to go. However...the .45 2.1" will be cheaper to shoot all the way around from cases to powder. The military stock does no lend itself to being a very comfortable platform when shooting prone such as in a formal competition. But...as so many of us has found out, you'll buy more than one rifle any way so get the rifle that you really want.
Dennis

[jackrabbit]

Do you want a gun to show off and impress all your buddies, or do you want one to actually use to go to matches, hunt with, shoot lots and have fun with? If it's the former, order the Quigley in 45-110, if it's the latter, order a long range express or rough rider in 45-70 or 45-90.
The truth, Cody

[Clarence]

The military butt will draw blood on your shoulder with a standard weight barrel in .45-70 if placed too low. I've done it, and it's not fun. Just a reminder--that combo has significantly less recoil than the .45-110.

Like the others have said, if you plan to shoot enough to enjoy your rifle, get a shotgun butt, and unless you're absolutely tied to the Quigley model, you'll find that the pistol grip stock is considerably easier for most to consistently pull the rifle into your shoulder, which minimizes vertical stringing.

YMMV, but I suggest the #1 or Roughrider in .45-70 with a 30-32" heavy octagon or half-octagon as your first rifle, and you can always get it rechambered for a longer cartridge if you find the .45-70 inadequate (but I'll bet you won't find that). Even the .45-90 had noticably more recoil than some people like.

Clarence

[johnl]

Buy one in each caliber, problem solved If you want one to imitate the movie get the 110. If you want a do all get the 45-70. Either way enjoy.